Trader Talk

How does a company with the next potential blockbuster idea in wealthtech garner investor attention with everyone fighting for a spot at the table? Advancements in wealth technology have transformed the daily lives of financial advisors, and their clients. From powerful advisor tools focused on portfolio management to client-facing solutions that provide a greater sense
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There are more than 40 ESG ratings, 150 rankings and 450 indices, according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. But as quality information about funds’ practices becomes more important for advisors, a lack of standardization and transparency means scores can vary depending on which company is providing the rating. In an analysis for
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Investors are enamored of ESGs — values-based investments in companies that are supposedly engaging in positive environmental, social and governance practices. At least that’s what a stream of reports and surveys seems to indicate. Gartner, a technology research and consulting firm based in Stamford, Connecticut, reported earlier this year that 85% of investors at least
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Client reports are foundational to your practice. They explain how you’ve been working for your clients and can help justify your fee. One thing I’ve noticed during my nearly five years in financial technology working with portfolio reporting, however, is that many advisors aren’t sure how to optimize client reports. In fact, there are some
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A series of examinations into digital investment advisory services found nearly every robo advisor, including software used by traditional advisors to automate investing, is falling short of compliance duties, according to an SEC risk alert. While robo advisors can provide convenient and inexpensive services for investors while enhancing efficiencies for wealth management firms, they can
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New York Life invested $30 million in a Community Development Financial Institution fund focused on advancing minority affordable housing developers. Altruist released a podcast with its former CEO that delves into his three decades with the asset management company. Hightower has added several offices in Manhattan and SoHo. As always, advisors are on the move,
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The private equity recapitalization of a firm that has emerged in recent years as one of the most active and fastest growing RIA consolidators gave the company a multibillion-dollar valuation. A PE fund affiliated with publicly traded investment manager Onex Corporation paid $226 million for “economic ownership” of 11% of Wealth Enhancement Group, according to
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As wealth managers seek to hire and serve more Black Americans and other historically excluded minorities, financial advisors have a new roadmap for racial equity investing. The Croatan Institute, a nonprofit research organization that focuses on using finance to advance social equity and sustainability, compiled a list of public and private funds, fixed-income products and
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As clients clamor for investments dubbed socially responsible, regulators are closing in on how the widely used environmental, social and governance (ESG) moniker is bestowed and deployed. It’s an urgent challenge. This year, the SEC cautioned companies and funds that tout their ESG practices and labels. As the wealth management industry talks up the benefits
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A brokerage firm accused of churning client accounts and years of supervisory failures has settled with FINRA to the tune of $2.8 million. FINRA announced Tuesday it had sanctioned Aegis Capital, a New York-based firm with 300 registered representatives in its 23 branch offices, in a case involving allegedly excessive and unsuitable trading in customer
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After closing a big acquisition and recording its third straight quarter of a record in-flow of assets, AssetMark is seeking to expand further by competing against fellow platforms and RIA aggregators for business among small practices. The turnkey asset management program and outsourced investment technology firm has generated higher adjusted earnings in the first nine
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RIAs overwhelmingly continue to charge fees based on assets under management, but alternative fee structures, including flat fees, are gaining ground as the industry fights to pull clients out of brokerages. Even in the midst of a second tumultuous pandemic year, some financial industry verities remain in place. For one, registered investment advisors’ fees remain
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The Internal Revenue Service said Thursday that the amount that individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans is increasing to $20,500 in 2022, up from $19,500 for 2021 and 2020, as part of its annual inflation adjustments. The IRS also released technical guidance Thursday about various other cost-of-living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans
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By way of reminder, it’s been nearly 30 years since inflation in the U.S. exceeded 4% and nearly four decades since the country experienced a protracted run of rising prices. A period of the sort is likely to be unremembered, unknown even, for a good number of us. But as the post-COVID economy picks up
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Investors are more and more interested in putting their money where their hearts lie. RBC has a report out that shows advisors’ faith in ESG-integrated portfolios. And Interactive Brokers has a new app that allows investors to choose investments based on their values. J.P. Morgan is offering an investment summit for Black and Latina woman.
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